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Extraordinary journalism from GateHouse Media

Dennis Anderson, Journal Star, Peoria, Illinois About this entry: “As a publisher, I place a great deal of trust in the day to day decisions Dennis makes, as do all publishers of their editors. I can say that in this instance that trust is not misplaced. This is evident by Dennis’s involvement in our community on […]

Angie Muhs, The State Journal-Register, Springfield, Illinois About this entry: “Angie Muhs exemplifies everything one could ask for from an editor. She is deeply connected to her community, constantly looks for ways the SJR can be a leader in community engagement, demands excellence from her team and works tirelessly to ensure deliver quality, impactful content to […]

Eric Dundon, Hannibal Courier-Post, Hannibal, Missouri About this entry: “While the newspaper business continues to see its share of challenges, a strong editor can propel a newspaper forward with creative ideas, ambitious vision and a focus on community needs. Eric Dundon, the editor of the Hannibal Courier-Post in Hannibal, Missouri, has done just that with Missouri’s […]

Herald-Tribune, Sarasota, Florida Read some of the Herald-Tribune’s major projects online: Bias on the Bench, Housing in Sarasota and What Happened to Mason? Publisher: Pat Dorsey Editor: Follow the Herald-Tribune on Facebook and Twitter This newspaper sets the gold standard for community journalism. It has powerful design, smart reader engagement and killer enterprise. In one project, the Herald-Tribune attempts […]

The Hannibal Courier-Post, Hannibal, Missouri Read some of Hannibal Courier-Post’s digital reporting: As it happened: 24 hours of violence in Marion County, Important votes missed by Hannibal councilmen in 2016 Publisher: Mike Murphy Editor: Eric Dundon Follow The Hannibal Courier-Post on Facebook and Twitter This newspaper developed new ways to engage readers including a monthly health and wellness insert celebrating New Year’s […]

Wareham Courier, Wareham, Massachusetts Publisher: Mark Olivieri Editor: Follow the Wareham Courier on Facebook and Twitter This newspaper has a strong local, local presence. Photos are included with nearly every story; headlines are engaging. This paper also interacts with readers in print and online. In this judging period, third-grade students had submitted letters to the editor […]

First place: Maggie Clark, Sarasota Herald-Tribune Read online: 2 million kids – $42 billion battle The laser-like focus of this project is truly inspiring. Journalists across the country should use this project as a blueprint to examine how Medicaid works in their communities. Second place: Corina Curry, Rockford Register Star Third place: Kate Bramson, The Providence Journal

First place: Aaron Little, Santa Rosa Press Gazette Read online: Will Santa Rosa County spend half a penny on the courthouse? Solid public service reporting on important tax vote, alcohol vote and public school resources made this the clear winner in this division. Second place: Ethan Hartley, Danvers Herald Third place: Aaron Leibowitz, Malden Observer

First place: Chris Anderson, Sarasota Herald-Tribune Read online: What happened to Mason? Chris Anderson’s story was enthralling, as was the presentation. This is where feature writing could go. Second place: Holly Zachariah, The Columbus Dispatch Third place: Andy Smith, The Providence Journal

First place: Todd Jones, The Columbus Dispatch View online: Wit and sunshine: Memories of teen hockey player live large The clear favorite in a category populated by exceptional writers. Clear, creative and artful writing that is notable for a point of view that is guiding without being distracting. Well done. Second place: Paul Bowker, Cape Cod […]

First place: Dan D’Addona, The Holland Sentinel, Holland, Michigan Read online: Allison Schmitt fights through depression to third Olympics Significant range, depth of emotion and variety of writing styles makes Dan’s work stand out in a set of magnificent entries in this category. He writes in a way that allows the reader to see things […]

First place: Derrick Stuckly, Brownwood Bulletin, Brownwood, Texas Read online: The measure of gr8ness Derrick Stuckly is the Swiss Army knife of the Brownwood Bulletin. He switches from sport to sport, often daily, with apparent ease and expertise. He’s a gem. Second place: Joe Mitchin, The Independent, Massillon, Ohio Third place: Bob Chavez, Daily Messenger, […]

First place: Christopher Hurley, Medford Transcript, Danvers, Massachusetts Read online: Medford Jimmy Fund team helps Melrose resident achieve National dream Nice story selection and superb writing made Christopher’s entry a winner. These are well-written feature stories, whether you are a Sports fan or not, and speak well of his ability to find interesting things beyond […]

First place: Barbara Carmen, The Columbus Dispatch Read online: Forget ‘Ministry of Truth’ Barb Carmen is a great editorial writer and a good reporter. Her ledes are like a loud hand clap, demanding the reader pay attention to the pointed, well-researched commentary that follows. Second place: Pat Howard, Erie Times-News Third place: Mike Bailey, Journal Star

First place: Michael Crumb, Ames Tribune Read online: Using judicial discretion for the greatest impact Michael Crumb’s writing has a nice clip. Short, snapping sentences that have a steady drumbeat, propelled by a hint of indignation. Fun to read. Second place: Dena Sattler, Garden City Telegram Third place: Michael L. Klocke, The Record

First place: Eric Dundon, Hannibal Courier-Post Read online: Councilmen should examine their commitment Eric Dundon proves that the best editorials are the result of good reporting. Arguments rely on facts, data and research, paired with good writing. Second place: Sean McCrory, Daily Messenger

First place: Ariana Torrey, Center for News & Design Really smart design with a lot of interesting elements. Love the play of photos and graphics. She did a great job especially considering the amount of information that had to be presented. Second place: Adam McHugh, Center for News & Design Third place: Wes Huett, Journal Star

First place: Brittany Randolph, The Shelby Star Nice moments. The officer and dog shot would have been easy to miss. The rainbow shot was a beaut as the arch seems to cover the fans. The robotics competitor is intent on her task and totally compelling. Second place: Adam Ewing, The Shawnee News-Star Third place: Billy […]

First place: Alyssa Stone, Marshfield Mariner Part 1 is a good catch for the kiss and proportions of the photo. Part 3 is great emotion and truly captures the moment. Part 21: The rodeo work was top notch! Second place: Lorrie Cecil, ThisWeek Community News Third place: Joshua A. Bickel, ThisWeek Community News

First place: Greg Barnes, Fayetteville Observer, Fayetteville, North Carolina About this entry: Senior reporter Greg Barnes dogged pursuit of the truth about the death of a child under Social Services supervision is in the best tradition of watchdog journalism. Read online: Investigation: A child’s death, despite warnings to Social Services, court Great example of accountability journalism […]

First place: Katie Landeck, The News Herald, Panama City, Florida About this entry: Katie’s entries on the health beat all focus on obstacles to care: lack of transportation, access to healthy food and the health coverage gap, which featured profiles, extensive interviews and medical records reviews of six local residents struggling to find and afford […]

First place: Amy Knapp, The Independent, Massillion, Ohio Read online: Stump Hill owner fights to have 10 beloved animals returned Well-written and well-researched stories; good use of detail. Love how she breaks the story into sections like ‘The decision’ and ‘What’s next.’ Like that the reporter also shot video and clearly knew which clips to […]

First place: City of Disparity, Journal Star, Peoria, Illinois Read online: City of Disparity Great journalism. It took vision and tenacity to keep this series going as a steady drumbeat for awareness and change. This is true leadership. Second place: Emily Le Coz, Elizabeth Johnson and Josh Salman’s Bias on the Bench, The Herald-Tribune, Sarasota, Florida […]

First place: Danger Zone, The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, Massachusetts Read online: Danger Zone This is a very creative approach to covering this issue. The combination of data, interviews and observation is very effective. Second place: Cindy Swirko, The Gainesville Sun, Gainesville, Florida Third place: Bill Hand, Sun Journal, New Bern, North Carolina

First place: Hurricane Matthew coverage, The Free Press, Kinston, North Carolina Read online: Kinston may see major flooding This is an impressive effort — both for the spotlight that it puts on the flood damage, the community impact and the way forward, and for the team approach to making it happen. Great use of resources. […]

First place: Gun coverage, Lexington Minuteman, Lexington, Massachusetts Read online: Lexingtonians explain why they own firearms, how they use them This is a great idea, driving an informed debate with multiple perspectives leading to a conversation on the Opinion page. Second place: Dekota Gregory’s “Impact of Drugs” series, The Grove Sun, Grove, Oklahoma Third place: […]

First place: Staff, StarNews, Wilmington, North Carolina Check out StarNews’ digital work online: Azalea Festival A to Z, Shipwrecks of North Carolina This newsroom truly puts digital planning at the forefront of its operation. On daily items and on big, explosive projects, the StarNews staff is devoted to telling stories and breaking news on multiple […]

First place: Staff, Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, Florida See more digital work online: ‘A role we play’ The Northwest Florida Daily News understands the digital-first mindset and it shows in their DNA. Breaking news, digital experimentation and video show a strong grasp of driving valued engagement. Second place: Staff, The Gainesville Sun, […]

First place: The Independent’s “What Makes Massillon,” The Independent, Massillon, Ohio An excellent focus on what makes Massillon tick. Second place: The Free Press’ special Brandon Ingram section, The Free Press, Kinston, North Carolina Third place: The Free Press’ special Hurricane Matthew Flood Book, The Free Press, Kinston, North Carolina

First place: Scott Lauck, Catherine Martin and Ryan O’Shea Missouri Lawyers Weekly, St. Louis, Missouri A good team effort that provides a solid look at the fortunes of the most important corporations in Missouri. Second place: ThisWeek’s Friday Night Live High School Football Preview, ThisWeek Community News, Lewis Center, Ohio

First place: Staff, The Tuscaloosa News, Tuscaloosa, Alabama A championship sports staff and a championship college football team means the winners are the readers of The Tuscaloosa News. Well done to the entire staff, all of whom were necessary to support and augment the excellent work by the Sports staff in producing this coverage. Second […]

First place: Chris Easterling and Joe Mitchin, The Independent, Massillon, Ohio The Independent makes outstanding use of shared GateHouse content resources, combined with strong local-local reporting, to produce a community newspaper section that would be worthy of a metro-circulation audience. Well done. Second place: Alan Ford and Gabe Whisnant, The Star, Shelby, North Carolina Third […]

First place: Staff, Crestview News Bulletin, Crestview, Florida It’s hard not to be impressed when you see a staff using its resources to be very best of their abilities to produce a quality sports section. The News Bulletin makes effective use of limited space by packing it with sharp, concise writing and effective photos and […]

First place: Staff, The Times-News, Hendersonville, North Carolina Good local stories and information about happenings. Good job! Second place: Chris Patires, The Lake Sun, Camdenton, Missouri Third place: Marsha Miller and Julie Thomas, The Daily Ardmoreite, Ardmore, Oklahoma